TRENDING

HP handheld joins up with more networks

By Susan M. Menke

Jul 30, 2004

Hewlett-Packard iPaq 6315

The Hewlett-Packard iPaq 6315 coming out this month will be HP's first handheld to incorporate wireless voice connectivity as well as e-mail, text and instant messaging, and data communications through T-Mobile USA Inc. of Bellevue, Wash.

'All the radios can work at the same time' to navigate among IEEE 802.1x WiFi, Bluetooth, Global System for Mobile and General Packet Radio Service networks, said Rick Roesler, HP's vice president for handhelds.

The $499, 6-ounce handheld with a 3.5-inch color display 'automatically defaults to WiFi if there's a signal,' he said. 'Otherwise it defaults to GPRS.' The Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system secures the different networks' sign-on credentials, he said.

'For most travelers, 802.1x is the answer, and 802.1x service will be ubiquitous in T-Mobile hot spots,' said T-Mobile marketing vice president Scott Ballantyne. He said that the monthly bundled cost for a voice plan plus 'all the data you can use' will be a flat rate of less than $100.

HP will ship the iPaq 6315 with a folding, snap-on keyboard with raised buttons for use by both thumbs.